Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American rapper, record producer, singer, and DJ. Nicknamed the Abstract, he is noted for his innovative jazz-influenced style of hip hop production and his philosophical, esoteric and introspective lyrical themes. He embarked on his music career in the late 1980s, as an MC and main producer of the influential alternative hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. In the mid-1990s, he co-founded the production team The Ummah, followed by the release of his gold-certified solo debut Amplified in 1999. In the following decade, he released the Grammy Award-nominated album The Renaissance (2008) and the experimental album Kamaal the Abstract (2009).
ATLiens is the second studio album by the American hip hop duo Outkast. It was released on August 27, 1996, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. From 1995 to 1996, Outkast recorded ATLiens in sessions at several Atlanta studios—Bosstown Recording Studios, Doppler Recording Studios, PatchWerk Recording Studio, Purple Dragon Studios, and Studio LaCoCo—as well as Chung King Recording Studio and Sound On Sound Recording in New York City.
Vaudeville Villain is the third studio album by British-American rapper-producer MF Doom, released on September 16, 2003 under the pseudonym of Viktor Vaughn. All of the tracks are produced by Sound-Ink record label members Heat Sensor, King Honey, and Max Bill, with the exception of "Saliva", produced by RJD2.
Black Bastards is the second and final studio album by American hip hop group KMD, recorded in 1993 and eventually released on May 15, 2000, through Readyrock Records. Initially, the album was scheduled for release in May 1994, but Elektra Records canceled the album, reportedly due to the controversial cover art, which shows a Sambo figure being lynched. Zev Love X's brother DJ Subroc was killed when he was struck by a car shortly before the album was completed, and subsequent releases of the album have featured dedications to him.
The ABCs of Anarchism is an EP by American electronic group Negativland and British rock band Chumbawamba. A three-track collection, it incorporates samples of songs from Chumbawamba's Tubthumper (1997) as well as music by the then-current artists including Ice Cube and the Spice Girls, and television shows such as M*A*S*H and Teletubbies. The release's lyrics focus on political theory and children's media.
Nia is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Blackalicious. It was released in Europe by Mo' Wax on August 30, 1999, and re-released in the United States by Quannum Projects on February 29, 2000, with a slightly altered track listing.
Jason Green, better known as Planet Asia, is a rapper from Fresno, California. He is prominent for being one half of the now reunited hip-hop duo the Cali Agents and is currently a member of the groups Gold Chain Military and Durag Dynasty. He is also well known for his vast discography of mixtapes.
Cali Iz Active is the fourth studio album by rap group Tha Dogg Pound and is also the name of the album's title track and lead single. It was released through Koch and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Records on June 27, 2006.
Enta da Stage is the debut album by American East Coast hip hop group Black Moon, released on October 19, 1993, through Nervous Records. The album was produced by Black Moon member DJ Evil Dee along with Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz. Enta da Stage features the debut of underground hip hop duo Smif-N-Wessun, as well as appearances from Havoc of Mobb Deep and Dru Ha, the co-founder of Duck Down Records.
Keida Brewer, known professionally as Rasco, is an American rapper.
Cali Agents is an American hip hop group, composed of California-based rappers Keida "Rasco" Brewer and Jason "Planet Asia" Green.
613: Ashy to Classy is the first studio album by the American hip hop duo Field Mob, released in 2000 by MCA Records. Supported by the only single, "Project Dreamz", it peaked at No. 194 on the Billboard 200 and No. 35 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts.
Fire & Ice is the second full-length studio album by American hip hop duo Cali Agents. It was released on November 7, 2006, via Pockets Linted Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at Unite Studios in San Jose, California and at Ghost Recon Studios. Production was handled by Soul Professa, Brisk One, Dialekt and Protest, with CT Life and Rasco serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Concise Kilgore and Turbin.
Time Waits for No Man is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Rasco. It was released on July 21, 1998, through Stones Throw Records. Recording sessions took place at Jam Packed Studios and at Treshold Recordings in Santa Monica, California. Production was handled by Peanut Butter Wolf, Paul Nice, Evidence, KutMasta Kurt, DJ Design, Fanatik, Joey Chavez and Protest. It features guest appearances from Defari, Dilated Peoples, DJ Vin Roc, Encore, and his Cali Agents partner Planet Asia.
Escape from Alcatraz is the third full-length solo studio album by American rapper Rasco. It was released on September 9, 2003 via Coup d'État. Production was handled by Brisk One, Jake One, Kleph Dollaz, Ammbush, Champ, Da Beatminerz, Omen, Richness and Samson S. It features guest appearances from Casual, Chali 2na, Kisha Griffin, Reks, Shake Da Mayor, and his Cali Agents partner Planet Asia.
Battle of the Sexes is the eighth studio album by American rapper Ludacris, released March 9, 2010 on Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam South. The album was recorded during 2008 to 2010 and its production was handled by several producers, including T-Minus, Bangladesh, Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes, and The Runners.
Outkast was an American hip hop duo formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992, consisting of rappers Big Boi and André 3000. Widely regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time, the duo achieved both critical and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, helping to popularize Southern hip hop with their intricate lyricism, memorable melodies, and positive themes, while experimenting with a diverse range of genres such as funk, psychedelia, jazz, and techno.
BB Queen is the second studio album by Philadelphia-based rapper Bahamadia. BB Queen was released on July 25, 2000, through Good Vibe Recordings. BB Queen was Bahamadia's first release in four years, since her debut album, Kollage, which was released in 1996. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart.
"Kids See Ghosts" is a song by American hip hop duo Kids See Ghosts, composed of Kanye West and Kid Cudi, from their debut studio album of the same name (2018). The song features a guest appearance from Mos Def, who received credit under his real name of Yasiin Bey. It was produced by West, Kid Cudi, and Plain Pat, while additional production was handled by Andrew Dawson, Justin Vernon and Noah Goldstein. Apart from Plain Pat and Goldstein, the producers wrote the song alongside Bey. Making heavy use of synthesizers, the song draws inspiration from ambient music. Lyrically, the song reflects on the difficulties of fame and success.
Shock-No-Par is the debut studio album by American musical group Octant, a project led by Seattle-based musician Matt Steinke. Recorded at the group's own studios, the album was then released by Up Records in August 1999. Shock-No-Par exemplifies the group's unusual lineup and set-up, with much of the music being played with Steinke's homemade inventions and the distinctive Octant robot—also created by Steinke—which provides the album's percussion and was credited as a band member, alongside Steinke, who added vocals and keyboards, and Tassany Zimmerman, who added backing vocals and operated the Macintosh used to control the homemade creations.
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